The $18.4trn reason to listen to BlackRock’s three lessons in 2025
Wall Street and its biggest investors like the global investment giant influence the ASX more than anything else. That’s why you need to listen.
- Live
- Markets Live
ASX lifts but utilities, miners weigh; IDP leaps
Australian shares rise on improved consumer confidence. Nine, IDP shares soar. Iron ore gloom weighs on Fortescue, Rio. Bitcoin tops $101,000.
Maverick Macquarie misfires as its business bet starts cold
The share of business lending commanded by Australia’s fifth major bank has flat-lined since last February.
- Exclusive
- White collar crime
Virtical boss may have acted as shadow director after resigning
Administrators say John Palasty controlled key accounts and operations despite resigning from the company that owned Hotel Australasia and a luxury resort project.
Is 2025 the inflexion point for the office market?
The nation’s office market has been battered by surging interest rates and the rise of flexible work. Building values have fallen. But that could change this year.
- Exclusive
- Property development
Metrics takes over Melbourne site to rescue $750m project
The private credit firm, one of the country’s largest, says taking over the project is the best way to protect investors after a sales process failed.
- Opinion
- Inflation
RBA should cut rates and not be fooled by trimmed mean inflation
The actual inflation rate Australian consumers and businesses feel is now within the designated target range of 2-3 per cent. The RBA should not ignore this, writes Craig Emerson.
It’s the newsletter read by partners and consultants at Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC. The latest industry news and moves, in your inbox every Wednesday.
Chanticleer
HEALTH & WELLNESS
SUMMER REVIEW
- Analysis
- World politics
Immigration, voter fatigue killed Trudeau. Not Trump
It’s easy to blame the US president-elect for everything but what brought the Canadian prime minister down is more retail politics than global conspiracies.
How boxing’s ‘Mr Kremlin’ controls the sport
The IBA failed in its bid to upset competition in Paris, but its president, Russian power broker Umar Kremlev, has Olympic insiders worried about the future of the sport.
The most important lessons these CEOs learnt in 2024
Celebrating your wins, staying grounded and embracing generative AI were some of the key things these top business leaders took away from last year.
We’re divorced – but we still live in the same house
If a couple can move beyond bitterness and learn the art of empathic communication, a no-split divorce might be an option. It certainly makes good financial sense.
AI’s next big (risky) thing: Special agents to organise your life
Tasks that would have taken a month can now be done in an hour, but people will be exposing a lot more digital information, raising privacy and security concerns.
Companies
- Exclusive
- Energy transition
Engie woos data centres to set up near wind and solar farms
The French utility giant has ambitious plans to help meet Australia’s clean energy targets, but its executives say we need to think outside the box.
- Exclusive
- Media & marketing
Amanda Laing firms for mega Nine broadcast job amid restructure
The former Foxtel executive left the News Corp-run pay television business last year. She could soon oversee Nine’s television, radio and Stan.
CC Capital bids $2.9b for Insignia in private equity shootout
The New York-headquartered private equity firm lobbed a cash bid, trumping Bain Capital’s rejected offer.
Earnings turning point gives ASX bears plenty to think about
Shares prices have raced away while company profits have gone backwards. What happens if earnings start going up, too?
Why housing affordability is now a top problem for CEOs
Business leaders say high house prices and skyrocketing rents are affecting where people choose to work and making it harder to find talent.
Top super investors dash pre-election rate cut hopes
But they say investors should be optimistic about inflation easing despite later cuts and risks associated with Donald Trump taking the White House.
Australia’s next robot farm wants to grow your burger garnish
Investors have lost billions on vertical farming start-ups, but a Gold Coast business says it has a model that stacks up, luring investment from Tribeca and Tayside.
Companies in the News
Search companies
View stories and data from an ASX listed company
Markets
Bridgewater sacks 7pc of staff in bid to remain ‘nimble’
The Ray Dalio-founded world’s biggest hedge fund, which manages more than $250 billion, sacked about 90 employees.
Super admits its size is a risk but says ‘what is the alternative?’
The managers of Australia’s $4.1 trillion retirement savings pool say they are best placed to invest in banks and private lending despite warnings from the RBA and IMF.
Top super investors dash pre-election rate cut hopes
But they say investors should be optimistic about inflation easing despite later cuts and risks associated with Donald Trump taking the White House.
What happened overnight? Nvidia powers Wall St advance
Australian shares are set to open higher. Techs rallied ahead of speech by Nvidia’s CEO. Bitcoin leapt back above $US102,000.
Veteran financial crash survivor warns of 2025 Wall Street bubble
After successfully navigating some of the worst collapses in financial markets history, Perth’s Willy Packer says US shares are flashing red.
Opinion
Trudeau’s brutal legacy is failure to match soaring ambitions
After almost a decade at the top, his tenure will be remembered for poorly managing national decline and overseeing a lost decade.
Former Canadian journalist
Labor’s over the election barrel on Bruce Highway
It is fiscal integrity, more than political integrity, that is the concern as Labor embarks on what could be the start of an election spending spree.
Editorial
Mediscare ‘he said, she said’ insults voters’ intelligence
A Labor-Coalition electoral clash over bulk billing is not only foolish, but masks the fact that so much more needs to be done to keep our healthcare system fit for purpose.
Policy consultant
James Curran is wrong: ASPI is and will remain independent
Commentators are free to criticise research institutes critical of China but should focus on evidence, not innuendo.
ASPI
The great ‘Asian dream’ has hit a roadblock
Across the continent, middle-class families are forced to rethink spending priorities as household wealth erodes. What can policymakers do?
Columnist
Price must be right to put obesity drug on the PBS
It is vital the gatekeepers of the scheme hold the line on the cost benefits of blockbuster drugs.
Former deputy chief health officer
Reports
Wealth - the 2025 outlook
This special report talks to top fund managers for their stock market tips and the key risks to the economic outlook, and looks at options for fixed income.
Politics
- Exclusive
- Federal election
PM ignored independent adviser on Queensland road spend
A bypass project that Anthony Albanese visited to spruik a $7.2 billion Bruce Highway outlay had failed a cost-benefit assessment by Infrastructure Australia.
The problem with PM's $7.2b Qld road pledge
Anthony Albanese has caved to Queensland’s new premier to pay 80 per cent of a $9 billion upgrade of the Bruce Highway, igniting demands from three states.
- Exclusive
- Trump's White House
Rudd puts his feet up for summer as world braces for Trump
Ambassador to the US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd has been watching cricket back home in Australia while Donald Trump assembles his new team.
Push for alcohol ‘cancer risk’ labels after new US advice
Public health advocates say calls by the US Surgeon General for warning labels on alcoholic drinks will drive momentum for their introduction in Australia.
Ice hockey tournament cancelled due to anti-Israel ‘security concerns’
The international event set to be held in Melbourne this year has been pulled over what organisers said were security fears due to anti-Israel protests in Victoria.
SPONSORED
World
- Analysis
- World politics
Immigration, voter fatigue undid Trudeau, not Trump
It’s easy to blame the US president-elect for everything but what brought the Canadian prime minister down is more retail politics than global conspiracies.
Canada’s Trudeau resigns as Liberal Party leader
The prime minister, who came to power in 2015, leaves with his party trailing the Conservatives 47 per cent to 21 per cent in the latest polls.
- Live
- Need to Know
North Korea tests hypersonic missile designed to hit Pacific targets
State media reports the intermediate-range missile is designed to strike remote targets in the Pacific; Australia takes steps to mend strained ties with Israel. How the day unfolded.
- Analysis
- World politics
Why has Elon Musk reignited debate over UK rape gangs?
The billionaire has claimed that “hundreds of thousands” of “little British girls” were targeted for gang rape and murder. Why?
Starmer leads European pushback against ‘troll’ Musk
The leaders of Germany, France and the UK have all railed gainst the increasingly punchy political interventions from the X owner and Donald Trump confidant.
Property
Goodman, Scentre among REITs set to bounce higher in 2025
A lack of new supply is expected to put more pricing power in the hands of landlords, meaning stronger earnings growth in 2025, say global investment managers.
What last year's top office deals reveal about 2025
Movement in the troubled office sector shows owners did what they had to do to strike a deal, pointing to more activity in 2025.
No bull, this developer just got a 33pc discount on an office tower
A local developer has ambitious plans – including a famous statue – for the Melbourne fringe office tower he says will be transformed by the Metro Rail opening.
House prices tipped to rise 3pc in 2025
This year is expected to be a tale of two halves, after interest rate relief revives buyers’ appetites. But if there are no rate cuts, all bets are off.
Where to buy a beautiful house for less than $200,000
With the cost of an average Australian home now around $815,000, anyone spending a quarter of that will marvel at the choice of tempting options in Europe.
Wealth
- Opinion
- Private equity
This is where the next financial crisis could emerge
Private funds, which include venture capital, private equity, private debt, infrastructure, commodities and real estate, now dominate financial activity.
- Opinion
- Family finance
What to consider before giving your grandchildren money
Providing financial assistance can be rewarding, but give some thought to how it will affect your retirement, writes Jenneke Mills.
Three assets to sell right now and three to buy for 2025
Leading market strategists say it’s time to take a hard look at your portfolio and sell stocks that have been good to you.
Technology
AI’s next big (risky) thing: Special agents to organise your life
Tasks that would have taken a month can now be done in an hour, but people will be exposing a lot more digital information, raising privacy and security concerns.
Robot puts a sock in it for world’s biggest gadget fest
CES – formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show – starts officially on Wednesday, but already a theme has emerged, and it doesn’t take AI to figure out what it is.
Culture Amp accounts reveal start-up’s big growth – and a sea of red
One of the country’s biggest private software companies, with a valuation of more than $2.4 billion, has lost $155 million over the past two years.
Work & Careers
The most important lessons these CEOs learnt in 2024
Celebrating your wins, staying grounded and embracing generative AI were some of the key things these top business leaders took away from last year.
Private schools raise fees at three times rate of inflation
For a decade or more, private schools have increased their fees by far more than the CPI. This year is no different, and schools have a range of explanations.
Life & Luxury
Weightlifting could take eight years off your body
A recent study suggests a link between weight training and a reduction in biological age for both men and women.
Robot puts a sock in it for world’s biggest gadget fest
CES – formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show – starts officially on Wednesday, but already a theme has emerged, and it doesn’t take AI to figure out what it is.
- Analysis
- Holidays
How to turn four weeks of leave into 49 days of holidays in 2025
As the summer silly season ends, the idea of returning to work for a whole new year can be overwhelming.
Patty Mills becomes first Aussie to play 1000 NBA games
The Boomers captain has written his name into the basketball history books following Utah’s 105-92 defeat of Orlando.
- Driving With Tony Davis
- Motoring
The Smart car is back, but not as you know it
The German-designed cars, now built in China, are fun and funky, yet still manage to carry a strong Mercedes-Benz flavour.